Flashlight with rotatable lamp head

• US 5,871,272 A
• Filed: 01/28/1997
• Issued: 02/16/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Streamlight, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Streamlight, Inc.
• Inventors: Sharrah, Raymond, Craft, Charles, DiNenna, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Husar, Stephen F.
• Application Number:
  US08/789,916
• Time in Patent Office: 749 Days
• Field of Search: 362/62, 362/184, 362/185, 362/197, 362/228, 362/243, 362/800, 362/199, 362/231
• US Class Current: 362/184
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 4/025 the light sources being of different shape or type
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 4/027 the light sources being a LED
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 4/045 Pocket lamps
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 4/08 characterised by means for in situ recharging of the batteries or cells
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 14/045 in portable lighting devices
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 15/01 Housings, e.g. material or assembling of housing parts F21V15/02 takes precedence housings forming signs or letters G09F13/04
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/084 Head fittings
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/30 Pivoted housings or frames
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0414 specially adapted to be used with portable lighting devices
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 31/03 with provision for venting for vehicle head lights F21S45/33; for vehicle rear lights F21S41/192
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/0025 Combination of two or more reflectors for a single light source array of reflectors for a cluster of light sources F21V7/0083
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2101/00 Point-like light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2113/00 Combination of light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2113/20 of different form
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode

Abstract

A flashlight with a rotatable lamp head is provided. The lamp head pivots about two cylindrical coaxial electrical connectors. The lamp head also includes a reflector having a major parabolic reflective surface and a minor reflective parabolic surface. The reflector is configured so that the minor reflective surface is nested within the major reflective surface. The flashlight also includes a series of fluid-tight seals to insure that the flashlight is waterproof. In addition, a flapper valve is provided to function as a one-way valve allowing the release of gases produced by use of the batteries, and preventing fluid from entering the flashlight. A battery charger is also provided to recharge a battery pack for the flashlight.

Claims

1. A flashlight comprising:

a housing;

a battery located within said housing;

a lamp head connected to said housing, comprising;

first and second reflective surfaces;

an incandescent lightbulb projecting from said first reflective surface; and

a light-emitting diode projecting from said second reflective surface;

a conductive element providing an electrical path connecting said battery to said lightbulb and said light-emitting diode; and

a switch operable to control operation of the incandescent light independently of the light-emitting diode.

2. The flashlight of claim 1 wherein said light-emitting diode emits non-white light.

3. The flashlight of claim 1 wherein the switch is operable between first, second and third positions, wherein in the first position both the incandescent lightbulb and the light-emitting diode are off, in the second position the incandescent lightbulb is on and the light-emitting diode is off, and in the third position the incandescent lightbulb is off and the light emitting diode is on.